How to choose the right health insurance in the UAE

Are you self-employed, moving roles or starting a new job? What does that mean for your health insurance?

UAE Employers do have to provide health insurance, but it might not meet all of your needs.

It would be best if you determined your priorities when it comes to health care for you and your family.

By answering a few key questions, you can find out the best health insurance policy for you.

We get it. The excitement of moving to a new place, the stability of the region and the perpetually sunny days can often be a distraction from making sure you have covered the essentials. Who wants to think about health insurance when the ocean is open for swimming and jet skis? Besides, “hasn’t my employer taken care of it?” we hear you say….

Well, they might well have. However, they also might not have you as well covered as you would like.

Employers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are legally required to provide health insurance for their employees, but the type and size of that coverage aren’t always what you would expect. For instance in Dubai, the employer or sponsor is only required to cover the individual, in Abu Dhabi, the employer is required to include the individual’s dependents (1 spouse and up to 3 children.)

The reality is that there are a few vital questions you need to consider the answers too before you can determine if you have the right level of protection for you and your family.

Step 1: Examine your company’s health insurance policy

It might not seem like the most fun way to spend an hour, but (trust us) it is worth its weight in, well, medical bills. While employees are obligated to provide medical insurance, the extent or quality of that coverage is less specified. If some aspects of your health care weren’t part of your negotiating package, you might discover a few surprises that could cost you down the road.

It would be best if you made sure you understand exactly what is included and, possibly more importantly, what is not included in your UAE health insurance; that way you can decide to join the many others who opt to have their own additional policy.

Step 2: Determine what your priorities are

This shouldn’t be too difficult, but it will really help you not only find out if your company is offering the best health insurance for you, but also what you might want most out of any additional policy you consider. The main questions here will include?

Where should be covered – Geography?

Are you an avid traveler? Does the family often go on adventurous holidays together? Have you always wanted to explore the broader Middle East region? Which countries are covered under the policy, is it just local or regional, or international? Would this be an essential element for your lifestyle?

Where should be covered – Location?

Which clinics, hospitals, and Doctors are covered under the policy? Many policies work with specific health care providers and therefore only cover assistance given in those locations. Perhaps that isn’t your preferred option, or your family has a connection to a medical professional that they trust and don’t want to let go of?

What should be covered?

This can be a crucial element for many people. Being told you need an essential test or treatment and its cost being rejected by your insurer is a devastating reality to find yourself in. Consider any pre-existing conditions you or your family might have? Is there a family medical history to consider, that you would like pre-screening to be included for? Is dental coverage important to you? Perhaps you would like alternative treatment options or mental health services included?

Step 3: Get the right policy for you

If you have decided you need an additional policy, for whatever reason, or need your own as you are self-employed, the next step is to make sure that you get the right one for you and your family.

This is where the exciting growth of online insurance resources is vital. By buying health insurance in the UAE online, you can quickly compare the provisions and prices offered by the leading insurers in the region. You can get independent advice on which one suits your requirements and your budget.

You don’t need to get bogged down in the jargon as every step is explained clearly and openly so that you can adequately grasp all the factors to consider from deductibles to co-payments, limits to coinsurance. You can even get comprehensive health care coverage organized for you and your family in a matter of minutes, without spending hours on the phone or spending a fortune.

On a bright shining day it can be easy to underestimate the importance of health insurance, but failing to ensure you have the right coverage could be extremely costly in the future.

The fact is that accidents can happen and we never know when we might get sick or need help. If you find yourself facing the worst or needing care for a loved one, the last thing you will want is a massive bill to accompany it. You will want the best attention, from the best people in the fastest amount of time and you won’t want to worry about how on earth you can pay for it or feeling like you need to compromise on quality because of your budget.

Make sure you have the best health insurance in the UAE, even if that means obtaining a second policy; at Aqeed you can compare and purchase the right one in minutes, at the right price and then you don’t have to worry about it anymore.

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